Job: Teacher for Head Start Program

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Teacher – Head Start is responsible for implementing the educational program, philosophy and goals to students and their guardians. Position contributes to the individualized education plans for assigned children, and is responsible for the academic, social, and behavioral operation of the classroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develops and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children aged 3 to 5, based on the individual interests, needs, and abilities of the children in the classroom and the group as a whole.
• Participates in team planning of curriculum with the teaching assistant and other appropriate staff, using and encouraging appropriate input from parents/guardians.
• Oversees the team assessment of each child developmentally and develops individual goals, involving parents in the process.
• Plans, organizes, and attends parent meetings as needed or required.
• Conducts a minimum or 2 home visits and 2 parent/teacher conferences per family, per academic year.
• Reviews mentally the needs and progress of each family, working in conjunction with the caseworkers to meet health and social services needs of those families.
• Supervises staff and trains parents, and oversees volunteers as appropriate.
• Coordinates activities of support staff and service providers.
• Works with identified support staff in the provision of direct services for disabilities and the development of goals for children with disabilities.
• Maintains the classroom environment, ensuring supplies, materials and equipment are available.
• Supervises and implements federal, state and local health and safety policies and procedures.
• Performs additional duties as assigned which are consistent with the general responsibilities of the position.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
 Knowledge of normal child development.
 Knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards for teaching.
 Ability to develop daily lesson plans and utilize standard educational equipment.
 Able to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.
 Effective written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
 Ability to communicate, comprehend and perform functions from written and oral instructions.
 Must have ability to exhibit mature judgment and emotional stability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 Must be 21 years of age (licensing requirement).
 Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development Associate Credential with commitment to meet national requirements.
 Minimum 1 year experience working in a school/education environment.
 Possess a valid Arizona driver’s license and be insurable under the agency’s automobile policy.
 Able to operate common office equipment and must be computer literate with knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office software (i.e. Word, Excel).


OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
 Must be able to provide DPS fingerprint clearance.
 Must be able to meet training and agency compliance requirements for the position.

Mental Requirements
• Ability to effectively communicate in the English language.
• Ability to gather and interpret moderately complex information.
• Ability to interact well with various levels of staff, children, parents/guardians, and with guests of AzCA.

Physical Requirements
• Indoor/outdoor working conditions with frequent activity.
• Frequent physical effort (lift/carry up to 30 lbs.).
• Frequent reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling or crouching.